New rules for power outages: the court will no longer help the debtor
6 August 14:57
The National Energy and Utilities Regulatory Commission (NEURC) has approved draft amendments to the Rules of the Retail Electricity Market. The innovations are aimed at strengthening payment discipline among non-household consumers and preventing abuses related to electricity debts. This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the regulator’s press service.
What did the NEURC decide?
on August 5, 2025, the regulator supported the draft resolution “On Amendments to Clause 7.11 of Section VII of the Rules of the Retail Electricity Market”. The document aims to eliminate legal loopholes that allowed debtors to avoid power outages, in particular through court orders to open proceedings.
From now on, the existence of a court order to open a case does not stop the procedure for disconnecting electricity supply to non-household consumers if there are debts.
“The approved draft resolution is aimed at improving payment discipline and preventing abuse by non-household consumers who have debts for electricity supply and use judicial mechanisms to unreasonably maintain electricity supply,” the NEURC said.
How will the disconnection take place?
Despite the innovations, the electricity supplier does not have the right to disconnect the consumer without warning. According to the new rules, the consumer must receive a written notice at least 10 business days before the date of power outage. This gives time to settle the debt issue.
Non-household consumers can still apply to the court for interim relief, for example, to temporarily prohibit the electricity supplier from disconnecting the power supply. This right is provided for in Articles 136-140 and 144 of the Commercial Procedure Code of Ukraine.
Who will not be affected by the changes?
The proposed amendments do not apply to protected consumers and critical infrastructure facilities that are of particular importance for the life of the population and the functioning of the state. These include:
- healthcare facilities
- heat and water supply companies;
- water utilities;
- defense and security facilities.
These categories are protected by the Law of Ukraine “On the Electricity Market,” Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 833 of July 14, 2025, and the Rules themselves.
The draft resolution still needs to be finalized, but its approval by the NEURC already signals a change in the approach to relations with non-household debtors.
